Beginner Fly Fishing Outfit

[Alxmastr]

I am completely new the fly fishing. So new in fact that I am still in the process of obtaining my first gear so I can try it out! I live in Southern Ontario and will be fishing for trout in small streams and rivers. I am willing co commit up to $300 on my gear so I want to make sure I get the most possible quality out of my money. Do any of you have any specific suggestions as to what I should purchase as my first fly rod or reel? Maybe a fly fishing outfit that contains everything I could need to get started? I would appreciate any help at all very much so thank you all in advance!

 

[Derrick Young]

I am by not an experienced fly fisher but I was in the same boat as you 2-3 months ago. Spent allot of time researching what to buy and talked to allot of people.

You have a good budget set for your package but I want to ask when you say "outfit that contains everything"? What do you mean? The things that you will require to start

1) Rod
2) Reel
3) Backing and Fly line,
4) 2 or 3 Leaders
5) Couple roles of Tippet
6) Flies
7) Stream Side tools

Items 1-3 come in most packed kits. The others tend to be things you need to add that you never think about when buying kit until you are ready to fish.

If you are looking to hit the water complete and ready to go for $300.00 I would look at the White river Fly Shop packages. This is what I did and am happy so far. Sure I may what to upgrade this winter but it will be by adding different weight rods. Not need to replace what I bought yet. And truth be told you will be so focused on the mechanics of casting at first you could be using a hockey stick or a 1000.00 custom rod and not know the difference.

So honestly look at the White River Fly Shops outfit at BP and then use the $$ left over to get some flies, boxes, nippers, hemostat, Tippet, leaders and then take a casting lesson.

 

[AaronKrick]

Have you had a lesson? If not i suggest you do, you learn and you firgure out if you like it. Scientific anglers has great kits that have everything in, and for around $100

 

[Alxmastr]

For WasagaWader, I just wanted to know whether it was best to buy a rod and reel separate, a combo rod and reel or a fly fishing outfit. How much money do you think I need to set aside for the other items I need other than what would come in a fly fishing outfit? (as in flies, extra leaders, tools and such)

I have not taken any lessons mainly because in Windsor I don't believe any such classes exist. I would have to travel at least an hour by car which would be quite the annoyance for me. That is why I have just decided to try my best to learn on my own then go fishing with somebody that I know and learn that way.

 

[Derrick Young]

Alxmastr.

Leaders run you about 4.00-7.00 each. At first I did not think much about having spares. but starting out you tend to get little knots in your leader from making mistakes. Then I found that turning over bigger heavier flies did not work so well without changing to the appropriate leader. So I know carry 6 leaders in my pack. 2 leaders in each of 3 sizes.

Leader 6.00 - The White River package comes with a leader on the line. I would add another even if it is just as spare

Tippet is about 5.00 a spool. I would add 3 spools at 4x, 5x and 6x or at min. one spool of 6x

Hemostat 10.00 or so - Not mandatory to have but you will want them eventually

nippers 5.00 - Pretty essential - I used a pair of nail clippers at first

Flyboxes 5.00-10.00 - Could live with out but a pocket full of flies/hooks sucks

Flotant 10.00

Flies - 30.00

Pack/Vest to carry it all in is nice to have as well.

So you see all these little items start to add up

The nice thing about a rod and reel combo from TFO, Bass Pro or St. Croix is the line is matched to the gear for you. And price wise you are getting the lines for free compared to buying pieces individually. I found most of the flies that come with the lower end kits are crap. I bought a couple of these fly kits to get started and 2-3 casts and you have a hook with a couple strands of thread left on it.

So buy a rod and real combo kit with line and then add your flies and stuff you want.

 

[Derrick Young]

You say your in Windsor.

Is Crossing over the border to Detroit an option?

If so I would hit the Orvis Store
Orvis Retail Store Detroit
29500 Woodward Avenue
Royal Oak, MI 48073

For $225 you will get a very nice rod and reel combo and they offer free fly fishing 101 lessons.

 

[Alxmastr]

Detroit is definitely an option and free fly fishing 101 seems too good to pass up.
The rod in the orvis outfit is 8.5 feet but I've read a lot of material saying the best starting rod length is 9. Would the slight different in length make that much of a difference and is that rod and reel combo good for trout? If so then I think that is the one for me.

 

[BASSMASTER19]

Detroit is definitely an option and free fly fishing 101 seems too good to pass up.
The rod in the orvis outfit is 8.5 feet but I've read a lot of material saying the best starting rod length is 9. Would the slight different in length make that much of a difference and is that rod and reel combo good for trout? If so then I think that is the one for me.

I'm no expert on the fly but I started with a scientific angler outfit that cost less than 60 it's a 6wt and is 8 ft 6inches and my teacher who fly fishes said it was really good. Now I think for trout the rod wt is more important correct t me if I'm wrong so a 8'5 rod should be good as long as it's not too heavy

 

[Alxmastr]

Thank you for all of the replies everyone, my final question is 5 weight or 6 weight?

 

[GaryC]

I just started a few months ago myself.. mind you I went a little nuts and bought everything and everything. I just set myself up with a 8wt for about 170ish... that's a TOF 8wt rod, redington surge 7/8/9 reel, wf 8wt fly line and a bunch of leaders.

My original outfit kit for 6wt cost me 300.


I'd get 6wt I'd say.

 

[AaronKrick]

If you might go for bass once in a while, get the 6 wt. if you fish mostly for panfish and small trout, then 5 wt. 9 ft is the best for beginners because it helps you keep the line off the water on the backcast, and also the fly is away from your eyes a bit more.

 

[Alxmastr]

I think I am now informed enough to make my decisions, once I have everything I will let you people know how it all turned out

 

[Derrick Young]

The casting instructor I used suggested 5 or 6 weight. Reason being easier to to learn and turn fly over. I left the weights out as the type of fish your targeting would suggest a lighter rod.

 

[Madriverfisher]

everything every one has said is right i get a 9 foot 6 wt its just a great starter rod but the funny thing is as you get more and more expereniced and get more rods you almost never use it i maybe use mine a couple times a year. and your lucky cuz your only a couple hours from some amazing trout water in michagin like the ausable river

 

[Alxmastr]

A 6 weight rod would definitely be the best option for me but the outfit that I am looking at from orvis is a 5 weight. I know that 5 is perfect for trout fishing so that is good. Would I still be able to attempt bass fishing with a 5 weight line or is it possible to spool a 6 weight line onto a 5 weight rod to get the job done?

 

[GaryC]

Hmm well today my friend was able to bring it a 20lb salmon on his 5wt so I think bass is doable. The salmon though was basically exhausted to death after the fight so I felt kind of bad. We would have brought out 8wt's but we totally didn't expect this guy to be there.. normally we only have little rainbows and creek chubs.

 

[W_boughner]

Hmm well today my friend was able to bring it a 20lb salmon on his 5wt so I think bass is doable. The salmon though was basically exhausted to death after the fight so I felt kind of bad. We would have brought out 8wt's but we totally didn't expect this guy to be there.. normally we only have little rainbows and creek chubs.
how far up the river was the salmon roughly ... Thinking about going Monday but I want it to be worth the drive or I'd fish local

 

[GaryC]

Not to far where we normally fish but there was only just a single salmon there. We went down further and there was nothing to be seen.

 

[jlisk]

I have landed some pretty sizable (and strong) small mouth on my 5 wt without much issue.

 

[[email protected]]

the issue with the lighter rods is, its not as easy to toss heavier flies with them, personally i;d start with a 6 or 7 wt, get a fly line thats 1wt heavier than the rod, so you actually feel the rod load up and know when to start your forward cast.

eassential flies, eggs patterns, hares ear nymphs, stone fly, san jaun worms and the the woolley bugger in various colours and sizes from 6-14, all very popular trout flies and available at most tackle shops.

knots you should know, improved cinch knot, and surgeons knot are top, and possibly a nail knot or albright special.

and when you can, upgrade to quality fly line, it makes a big difference